carlover22

OK, is this wierd or is the RL that good of a car? My 2002 RL has 105,000 miles on it and I'm just noticing that it takes bumps harsher than nornal. I was quoted by a dealer $1541.00 to replace them!

Any feedback????

neuronbob

Your 2002 RL is a first generation RL. I moved your post to the appropriate forum for more appropriate answers.

Ken1997TL

Have you changed tires recently? You might have stiffer sidewalls on the new tires..

Otherwise it might be the shocks

BelowRadar

I was about to post a question.... I have about 75k on my 02 and I was wondering if it was ok to replace shocks with Acura ones, or does anyone offer any aftermarkets ? ? I like the stock ride, however I wish it were slightly firmer. Was tinkering with the idea of replacing with adjustables...... and ideas or opinions would help

onebadna1nsx

I need to replace the shocks on my 2001 RL, so i'm going to put 04 shocks on. I have a 2004 RL also, and the shocks are much stiffer. It's still very comfortable, but is not as floaty, and feels much more planted. I felt lots of bodyroll with my 2001, and when taking the same turns at the same speeds, the 2004 is much more planted.

I need to dig up the part #'s again... but the shocks are made by Showa.
Pricing I got quoted at my dealer:
Fronts- $250 Each
Rears- $195 Each

BelowRadar

Thanks a bunch.... been doing some reading on here and it seems like the 04 shocks are the way to go. Just baffles me why Acura put many changes for their last year of our model. Guess they wanted to "go out with a bang." Now I'm looking for a nice set of slotted or cross drilled rotors. Form previous experience, Honda/Acura rotors warp too easy for me.

onebadna1nsx

Okay, I got the part numbers for you guys interested in the 2004 RL Shocks. I might have switched the right left and rear #'s with eachother.... Shouldn't matter anyways if you are buying them for all 4 corners though

Front left: 51606-SZ3-A22
Front right: 51605-SZ3-A22

Rear left: 52610SZ3-A22
Rear right: 52611-SZ3-A22

Ken1997TL

And for what its worth, the 2002 - 2004 RLs have the same shocks.

Crazy Bimmer

Looking to buy shocks for an 02 RL as well.

Whats the price difference between getting OEM shocks or aftermarket shocks like Koni?

domine

I just bought an '02 this weekend and drove it 750mi home. I, too, noticed the ride is quite harsher than I expected (its got 144k miles on it), but of course I'm coming from an '06 ES330 which is boat-like soft. I'll tell you, though. Going through curves at high speeds, this thing is planted firmly with limited body roll and the seats are very supportive laterally. I really like it!

A dear friend of mine owns a repair shop for the last two years and has written service for over 20 - his take on it is to never buy the normal aftermarket shocks (the KYB's, Monroe's, etc.). He owns a '98 and two of his boys own an '01 and an '00. So he has personal experience, too. He said the only shocks to buy are from the dealer (unfortunately) since the aftermarket alternatives will not last or provide the same performance.

I'm unaware of a performance upgrade alternative, but I'm quite the newbie at this RL stuff - I just simply did a bunch of talking-around and online research on things to watch out for. This friend said to make sure the timing belt was done and that the rear window regulators go bad. "Oh yeah, and the shocks must be replaced using Acura shocks, not aftermarket, whenever they go bad."

FWIW...

Crazy Bimmer

Where are people buying the OEM shocks?

onebadna1nsx

From any Acura Dealer. I'm pretty sure they're special order item (like almost everything else on our car). They are made by a Japanese company named Showa, but I don't know too much more about them.

Crazy Bimmer

Ok i tracked it down myself. So far i think thats the best price... ?

onebadna1nsx

I'm going to get a quote with my 20% off at Tustin Acura here tomorrow. I'll let you know what their price is.

Btw,I thought you sold the RL? Ended up keeping it?

Crazy Bimmer

Yes, my dad couldnt part with a good thing.

He just wants to start replacing a few things here and there to keep it driving well.